# US 2010/0167899 A1 · Solids discharge centrifugal separator with disposable contact elements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0167899 A1 - Document ID: US20100167899A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/648,625 - Filed: 2009-12-29 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-29 - Assignees: Wagner Development, Inc. - Inventors: Robert B. Carr - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100167899A1 ## CPC - B04B 7/12: Inserts, e.g. armouring plates - B04B 9/08: Arrangement or disposition of transmission gearing {(for solid bowl screw centrifuges B04B1/2016); Couplings; Brakes} - B04B 9/12: Suspending rotary bowls {; Bearings; Packings for bearings} - B04B 11/02: Continuous feeding or discharging; Control arrangements therefor - B04B 11/04: Periodical feeding or discharging; Control arrangements therefor - B04B 11/05: Base discharge - B04B 13/00: Control arrangements specially designed for centrifuges; Program control of centrifuges (control arrangements for feed, charge or discharge B04B11/00) - B04B 15/02: for cooling, heating, or heat insulating - B04B 2005/0485: {with a displaceable piston in the centrifuge chamber} - B04B: CENTRIFUGES (high-speed drum mills B02C19/11; domestic spin driers D06F; analysing, measuring or monitoring physical or chemical properties of samples during centrifuging, see the relevant subclasses for these procedures, e.g. G01N) ## Abstract A hermetically sealed solids discharge centrifugal separator exhibits low-shear filling, acceleration, and separation of feed material. The separator can be particularly useful for separation and recovery of sensitive solids such as chemical or biological substances. The separator accommodates disposable sample contacting elements to eliminate the need for clean-in-place and sterilize-in-place operations. Some embodiments of the separator feature dual solids discharge pistons, which fully optimize recovery of valuable solids. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A low shear separator bowl assembly for a solids discharge centrifugal separator, the bowl assembly comprising: a separator bowl having a cylindrical upper portion, a conical lower portion, and an inlet port at the bottom of the lower portion; a spindle shaft extending from the bowl upper portion for engaging a drive motor, the spindle shaft comprising an outlet port at the top thereof, the outlet port in fluid communication with the inside of the bowl through a fluid passage in the spindle shaft; and a piston within the bowl, the piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bowl assembly of claim 1, further comprising a disposable bowl liner located between the wall of the bowl and the piston and extending from the inlet port to the outlet port, wherein the lower portion of the bowl is removable from the upper portion of the bowl to facilitate replacement of the bowl liner. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bowl assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lower valve assembly, the valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the inlet port and a feed liquid port or a solids discharge port. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The bowl assembly of claim 3, wherein the lower valve assembly is disposable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The bowl assembly of claim 3, wherein the lower valve assembly comprises a ball valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The bowl assembly of claim 3, wherein the lower valve assembly comprises a seal that hermetically seals the bowl interior during use. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The bowl assembly of claim 6, wherein the seal is a lip seal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bowl assembly of claim 1, further comprising an upper valve assembly, the valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the outlet port and a centrate port or an optical port. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The bowl assembly of claim 8, wherein the upper valve assembly is disposable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The bowl assembly of claim 8, wherein the upper valve assembly comprises a ball valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The bowl assembly of claim 8, wherein the upper valve assembly comprises a seal that hermetically seals the bowl interior during use. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The bowl assembly of claim 11, wherein the seal is a lip seal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the shape of the piston substantially conforms to the lower portion of the bowl. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the outlet port connects to a fluid pathway through the piston that allows fluid to be added to and removed from the bowl. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The bowl assembly of claim 14, wherein the piston comprises a shuttle valve disposed within said fluid pathway, the shuttle valve regulating the direction of fluid flow through the pathway in response to fluid pressure on either side of the valve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The bowl assembly of claim 15, wherein the shuttle valve is essentially cylindrical, disc-shaped, or spherical. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The bowl assembly of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the shuttle valve comprises a reflective material, and an optical pathway through the piston, the spindle shaft, and the upper valve assembly connects the reflective material and the optical port. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein movement of the piston within the bowl is fluid driven. ### Claim 19 A piston position sensing system for a solids discharge centrifugal separator, the system comprising: a separator bowl having an axially positioned optical port at its top end and an inlet port at its bottom end; a piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl, the piston movable along the axis of the bowl for solids discharge through the inlet port, the piston comprising a mirror that reflects light upwardly; a laser for illuminating the mirror through the optical port; and a signal processor that receives laser light reflected from the mirror back through the optical port and provides an output value that indicates the position of the piston within the bowl. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the piston comprises a shuttle valve for regulating flow in a fluid pathway through the piston, and the mirror is disposed on an upper surface of the shuttle valve. ### Claim 21 A solids discharge centrifugal separator comprising a low shear separator bowl assembly, the bowl assembly comprising: a separator bowl having a cylindrical upper portion, a conical lower portion, and an inlet port at the bottom of the lower portion; a spindle shaft extending from the bowl upper portion for engaging a drive motor, the spindle shaft comprising an outlet port at the top thereof, the outlet port in fluid communication with the inside of the bowl through a fluid passage in the spindle shaft; and a piston within the bowl, the piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The centrifugal separator of claim 21 further comprising: a lower valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the inlet port and a feed liquid port or a solids discharge port; an upper valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the outlet port and a centrate port or an optical port; wherein the outlet port is fluidically coupled to a fluid pathway through the piston that allows fluid to be added to and removed from the bowl; and a shuttle valve that regulates the direction of fluid flow through the pathway in response to fluid pressure on either side of the valve. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The centrifugal separator of claim 21, further comprising: an upwardly reflecting mirror on the piston; a laser for illuminating the mirror; and a signal processor that receives laser light reflected from the mirror and provides an output value that indicates the position of the piston within the bowl. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The centrifugal separator of claim 23, wherein the mirror is disposed on a surface of the shuttle valve. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The centrifugal separator of claim 22, wherein the upper and lower valve assemblies each comprise one or more seals that hermetically seal the bowl interior during use. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The centrifugal separator of claim 25, further comprising channels for cooling liquid adjacent to the seals in the upper and lower valve assemblies. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The centrifugal separator of claim 22, further comprising a disposable bowl liner, wherein the lower portion of the bowl is removable from the upper portion of the bowl to facilitate replacement of the bowl liner. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The centrifugal separator of claim 27, wherein the bowl liner extends the full length of the bowl interior and is connected to the upper and lower valve assemblies. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The centrifugal separator of claim 22, further comprising a variable speed drive motor that rotates the separator bowl through a coupling arrangement with the spindle shaft. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The centrifugal separator of claim 29, wherein the coupling arrangement is a drive belt. ### Claim 31 (depends on 22) The centrifugal separator of claim 22, further comprising a separator housing surrounding the separator bowl. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The centrifugal separator of claim 31, wherein the separator housing is temperature-controlled. ### Claim 33 (depends on 22) The centrifugal separator of claim 22, further comprising an upper bearing assembly having a spherical mounting in an upper portion of a separator housing, wherein the upper bearing assembly engages the spindle shaft. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The centrifugal separator of claim 33, further comprising one or more anti-rotation pins linking the spherical mounting of the upper bearing assembly to the separator housing. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The centrifugal separator of claim 33, further comprising a lower bearing assembly mounted in a lower portion of the separator housing, wherein the lower bearing assembly engages the bottom end of the separator bowl. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The centrifugal separator of claim 35, wherein the lower portion of the separator bowl is formed by a detachable feed cone assembly that is attached to the lower bearing assembly. ### Claim 37 A solids discharge centrifugal separator comprising a piston position sensing system, the system comprising: a separator bowl having an axially positioned optical port at its top end and an inlet port at its bottom end; a piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl, the piston movable along the axis of the bowl for solids discharge through the inlet port, the piston comprising a mirror that reflects light upwardly; a laser for illuminating the mirror through the optical port; and a signal processor that receives laser light reflected from the mirror back through the optical port and provides an output value that indicates the position of the piston within the bowl. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The centrifugal separator of claim 37, wherein the piston comprises a shuttle valve for regulating flow in a fluid pathway through the piston, and the mirror is disposed on a surface of the shuttle valve. ### Claim 39 A hermetically sealed solids discharge centrifugal separator comprising: a separator housing comprising upper, middle, and lower portions, the upper portion comprising an upper bearing assembly and the lower portion comprising a lower bearing assembly; a separator bowl assembly disposed within the separator housing, the bowl assembly comprising a separator bowl having a cylindrical upper portion disposed within the middle portion of the housing, a conical lower portion disposed within the lower portion of the housing, and an inlet port at the bottom of the lower portion; a spindle shaft extending from the bowl upper portion into the upper portion of the housing, the spindle shaft coupled to a drive motor, the spindle shaft comprising an outlet port at the top thereof, the outlet port in fluid communication with the inside of the bowl through a fluid passage in the spindle shaft; and a piston within the bowl, the piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl, wherein the bowl engages the upper bearing assembly through the spindle shaft of the bowl and engages the lower bearing assembly through the lower portion of the bowl; an upper valve assembly, the valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the outlet port of the bowl and a centrate port or an optical port, the valve assembly comprising one or more seals that hermetically seal the bowl interior during use; a lower valve assembly, the lower valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the inlet port of the bowl and a feed liquid port or a solids discharge port, the valve assembly comprising one or more seals that hermetically seal the bowl interior during use; and a variable speed drive motor that rotates the separator bowl through a coupling arrangement with the spindle shaft. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The centrifugal separator of claim 39, wherein the outlet port connects to a fluid pathway through the piston that allows fluid to be added to and removed from the bowl. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The centrifugal separator of claim 40, wherein the piston in the separator bowl comprises a shuttle valve disposed within said fluid pathway, the shuttle valve regulating the direction of fluid flow through the pathway in response to fluid pressure on either side of the valve. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The centrifugal separator of claim 41, wherein the shuttle valve is essentially cylindrical, disc-shaped, or spherical. ### Claim 43 (depends on 39) The centrifugal separator of claim 39, wherein movement of the piston within the bowl is fluid driven. ### Claim 44 (depends on 39) The centrifugal separator of claim 39, further comprising a piston position sensing system, the system comprising: a separator bowl having an axially positioned optical port at its top end and an inlet port at its bottom end; a piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl, the piston movable along the axis of the bowl for solids discharge through the inlet port, the piston comprising a mirror that reflects light upwardly; a laser for illuminating the mirror through the optical port; and a signal processor that receives laser light reflected from the mirror back through the optical port and provides an output value that indicates the position of the piston within the bowl. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The centrifugal separator of claim 44, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the shuttle valve is reflective, and an optical pathway through the piston, the spindle shaft, and the upper valve assembly connects the reflective material and the optical port. ### Claim 46 (depends on 39) The centrifugal separator of claim 39, further comprising a disposable bowl liner located between the wall of the bowl and the piston and extending from the inlet port to the outlet port, wherein the lower portion of the bowl is removable from the upper portion of the bowl to facilitate replacement of the bowl liner. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The centrifugal separator of claim 46, wherein the upper and lower valve assemblies are disposable and attach to the disposable bowl liner at the outlet and inlet ports, respectively. ### Claim 48 A piston assembly for a solids discharge centrifugal separator, the assembly comprising: a piston comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion conforming to an inner surface of a separator bowl of said centrifugal separator, and the upper portion comprising a fluid pathway for transport of fluid to or from the separator bowl; and a shuttle valve disposed within said fluid pathway, the shuttle valve regulating the direction of fluid flow through the pathway in response to fluid pressure on either side of the valve. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The piston assembly of claim 48, wherein the lower portion is conical in shape. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The piston assembly of claim 48, wherein the upper portion is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 51 (depends on 48) The piston assembly of claim 48, wherein the shuttle valve is essentially spherical, cylindrical, or disc shaped. ### Claim 52 (depends on 48) The piston assembly of claim 48, wherein the piston comprises a mirror that reflects light upwardly. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The piston assembly of claim 52, wherein the mirror is disposed on a surface of the shuttle valve, and the piston comprises a continuous optical pathway from an upper surface of the piston to the mirror. ### Claim 54 (depends on 48) The piston assembly of claim 48, wherein the fluid pathway comprises a first pathway and a second pathway, the first pathway axially connecting an opening in the upper portion of the piston with one side of the shuttle valve, and the second pathway connecting the other side of the shuttle valve with lateral openings in the lower portion of the piston. ### Claim 55 A method of operating a solids discharge centrifugal separator comprising: a separator bowl having a cylindrical upper portion, a conical lower portion, and an inlet port at the bottom of the lower portion; a spindle shaft extending from the bowl upper portion for engaging a drive motor, the spindle shaft comprising an outlet port at the top thereof, the outlet port in fluid communication with the inside of the bowl through a fluid passage in the spindle shaft; and a piston within the bowl, the piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl; the method comprising the steps of: (a) flowing feed liquid into the separator bowl through the inlet port; (b) rotating the separator bowl, whereby solid components of the feed liquid accumulate on an inner surface of the bowl; (c) continuing to rotate the separator bowl while flowing feed liquid into the inlet port, whereby clarified centrate liquid flows out through the outlet port; (d) stopping bowl rotation and draining residual liquid from the bowl through the inlet port; and (e) flowing a fluid back through the outlet port, whereby the piston is displaced downward within the bowl and accumulated solids are discharged through the inlet port. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of: (f) flowing a fluid into the inlet port, whereby the piston is displaced upward in the bowl. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The method of claim 56, further comprising performing one or more additional cycles of steps (a) through (f). ### Claim 58 A method of operating a solids discharge centrifugal separator comprising: a separator bowl having a cylindrical upper portion, a conical lower portion, and an inlet port at the bottom of the lower portion; a spindle shaft extending from the bowl upper portion for engaging a drive motor, the spindle shaft comprising an outlet port at the top thereof, the outlet port in fluid communication with the inside of the bowl through a fluid passage in the spindle shaft; a piston within the bowl, the piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl; an upwardly reflecting mirror on the piston; a laser for illuminating the mirror; and a signal processor that receives laser light reflected from the mirror and provides an output value that indicates the position of the piston within the bowl; the method comprising the steps of: (a) flowing feed liquid into the separator bowl through the inlet port; (b) rotating the separator bowl, whereby solid components of the feed liquid accumulate on an inner surface of the bowl; (c) continuing to rotate the separator bowl while flowing feed liquid into the inlet port, whereby clarified centrate liquid flows out through the outlet port; (d) stopping bowl rotation and draining residual liquid from the bowl through the inlet port; (e) flowing a fluid back through the outlet port, whereby the piston is displaced downward within the bowl and accumulated solids are discharged through the inlet port; and (f) illuminating the mirror with light from the laser and monitoring the movement of the piston using piston positional information from the signal processor. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) The method of claim 58, wherein a movement of the piston is automatically terminated when an output value from the signal processor reaches a level indicating that the piston has reached a preset termination point of travel within the bowl. ### Claim 60 A method of operating a solids discharge centrifugal separator comprising: a separator bowl having a cylindrical upper portion, a conical lower portion, and an inlet port at the bottom of the lower portion; a spindle shaft extending from the bowl upper portion for engaging a drive motor, the spindle shaft comprising an outlet port at the top thereof, the outlet port in fluid communication with the inside of the bowl through a fluid passage in the spindle shaft; and a piston within the bowl, the piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl; a lower valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the inlet port and a feed liquid port or a solids discharge port; an upper valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the outlet port and a centrate port or an optical port; wherein the outlet port is fluidically coupled to a fluid pathway through the piston that allows fluid to be added to and removed from the bowl; and a shuttle valve that regulates the direction of fluid flow through the pathway in response to fluid pressure on either side of the valve; the method comprising the steps of: (a) flowing feed liquid into the separator bowl through the feed liquid port of the lower valve assembly; (b) rotating the separator bowl, whereby solid components of the feed liquid accumulate on an inner surface of the bowl; (c) continuing to rotate the separator bowl while flowing feed liquid into the feed liquid port at a flow rate sufficient to maintain the shuttle valve in an open configuration, whereby clarified centrate liquid flows out through the centrate valve; (d) stopping bowl rotation and draining residual liquid from the bowl through the feed liquid port, whereby the shuttle valve assumes a closed configuration; (e) purging liquid from the liquid pathway through the piston, the spindle shaft, the upper valve assembly, and the centrate port by flowing a fluid into the bowl through the feed liquid port at a flow rate sufficient to maintain the shuttle valve in an open configuration; (f) switching the lower valve assembly to open a pathway from the inlet port to the solids discharge port and flowing a fluid back through the centrate port at a rate sufficient to drive the shuttle valve into a closed configuration, whereby the piston is displaced downward within the bowl and accumulated solids are discharged through the solids discharge port. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The method of claim 60, further comprising the steps of: (g) switching the lower valve assembly to open a pathway from the feed liquid port to the solids discharge port and flowing a fluid into the feed liquid port, whereby residual solids are purged through the solids discharge port; and (h) switching the lower valve assembly to open a pathway from the feed liquid port to the inlet port and flowing a fluid into the feed liquid port, whereby the shuttle valve assumes a closed configuration and the piston is displaced upward in the bowl. ### Claim 62 (depends on 60, 61) The method of claim 61, further comprising performing one or more additional cycles of steps (a) through (h) of claims 60 and 61. ### Claim 63 (depends on 60) The method of claim 60, wherein the centrifugal separator further comprises an upwardly reflecting mirror on the piston, a laser for illuminating the mirror, and a signal processor that receives laser light reflected from the mirror and provides an output value that indicates the position of the piston within the bowl, the method further comprising the step of illuminating the mirror with light from the laser and monitoring the movement of the piston using piston positional information from the signal processor. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) The method of claim 63, wherein a movement of the piston is automatically terminated when an output value from the signal processor reaches a level indicating that the piston has reached a preset termination point of travel within the bowl. ### Claim 65 A disposable separator bowl liner assembly for a centrifugal separator, the assembly comprising: a disposable bowl liner conforming to an inner wall of a solids discharge centrifugal separator bowl, the separator bowl comprising an inlet port at a bottom end and an outlet port at a top end, the bowl liner extending from the inlet port to the outlet port; and a piston within the bowl liner, the piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl liner, the piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl liner. ### Claim 66 (depends on 65) The bowl liner assembly of claim 65, wherein the shape of the piston substantially conforms to the lower portion of the bowl liner. ### Claim 67 (depends on 65) The bowl liner assembly of claim 65, wherein the piston comprises a shuttle valve disposed within a fluid pathway within said piston, the shuttle valve regulating the direction of fluid flow through the pathway in response to fluid pressure on either side of the valve. ### Claim 68 A kit comprising a bowl liner assembly and instructions for use thereof, the assembly comprising: a disposable bowl liner conforming to an inner wall of a solids discharge centrifugal separator bowl, the separator bowl comprising an inlet port at a bottom end and an outlet port at a top end, the bowl liner extending from the inlet port to the outlet port; and a disposable piston within the bowl liner, the piston movably disposed against an inner surface of the bowl liner. ### Claim 69 (depends on 68) The kit of claim 68 further comprising a disposable upper valve assembly, the valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the outlet port of the bowl and a centrate port or an optical port, the valve assembly comprising one or more seals that hermetically seal the bowl interior during use; and a disposable lower valve assembly, the lower valve assembly providing a switchable fluid pathway between the inlet port of the bowl and a feed liquid port or a solids discharge port, the valve assembly comprising one or more seals that hermetically seal the bowl interior during use.